Shopping for health insurance can sometimes be overwhelming. If you don't have employer-sponsored insurance, weeding through your options for individual health plans can become time-consuming and confusing.

No one wants to dump their hard-earned money down the drain. But they also don't want to pay huge sums for doctor's visits, medical tests or hospital stays if and when they become ill.

The key is to find the best balance possible between the two: coverage and rates.

A great health insurance plan starts with a great health insurance company. So what's the best way to find one, without becoming totally overwhelmed in the process?

Well first of all, don't jump into anything. Spend some time shopping around, checking out insurers, and talking to family and friends about their experiences with particular health insurance companies and agents.

You might be surprised what you find outand it might just save you considerable time and money!

But beyond that, finding a trustworthy health insurance company is a matter of research and planning. You should look for a company that is honest, helpful, financially stable, and offers you choices in doctors, hospitals, billing procedures and other services.

Where can you find this information?

Through industry watchers like A.M. Best, your state insurance department, the Better Business Bureau, and even the doctors and hospitals in an insurer's provider network. These professionals can give you a wide variety of information on particular health insurance companies, such as:

1. Customer satisfaction levels
2. The number of complaints lodged against them
3. The speed and efficiency with which they pay claims
4. Their financial stability over the long-term
5. The type and frequency of rate increases you can expect while your policy is in effect

These facts will help you make comparisons and choose the health insurance plan that's best for you.

Your local chamber of commerce and the Internet are also valuable resources for this type of information. With a few minutes, a little research, and access to the World Wide Web or a telephone, you can find out anything you want to knowthings no business can keep secret.

If you don't know what to askor you're not confident walking through this process alonefind a good local agent who can help you. Consumer shopping services like InsureMe.com can connect you with a local agent who will listen to your concernsor, if you're more comfortable doing so, you can ask your friends and family for their recommendations.

Whatever else happens, sitting idly by without health insurance coverage is the absolute worst thing you can do. So log on, pick up the phone, or grab a friend or family member and get the facts.

Before long, you'll be happy, healthy and coveredfor the long-term.